THE former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, is dead.
The Cameroonian passed away today at the age of 77, on the eve of his 78th birthday, after a long battle with illness.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed Hayatou’s death tonight, via an Instagram post.
“Saddened to hear of the passing of former CAF President, former FIFA President and interim, FIFA Vice President and FIFA Council member, Issa Hayatou,” the post reads.
“As a passionate sports fan and IOC Member, he dedicated his life to sports administration and on behalf of FIFA, and condolences go to his family, friends, former colleagues and all who knew him. Rest in peace.”
Hayatou served as CAF President for a record 29 years, from 1988 until he was surprisingly voted out in 2017.
He also served as acting FIFA President from 2015 to 2016 after Sepp Blatter was suspended over corruption charges.
There was news of the death of Hayatou a few weeks ago, but it proved to be a hoax, although he was apparently very ill at the time.
Hayatou’s reign coincided with the most successful period in Cameroonian football as they won Africa Cup of Nations titles in 1988, 2000 and 2002, and became the first African country to reach the World Cup quarter-finalists in 1990.
